Racketeer: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe someone involved in illegal business activities, often associated with organized crime and schemes aimed at extortion or fraud.

• The police arrested the racketeer for running a protection racket in the neighborhood.
• She was exposed as a racketeer, illegally inflating prices to scam customers.

A broad term that can refer to anyone who has committed a crime. Suitable for general use when the specific nature of the crime is unknown or varied.

• The criminal was sentenced to five years in prison for burglary.
• It's hard to believe he turned out to be a criminal after his promising career start.

Specifically refers to a member of an organized crime gang. Often associated with violent crime and a specific subculture or lifestyle.

• The notorious gangster was finally captured after a decade on the run.
• Movies often glamorize the lives of gangsters, but the reality is far more brutal.

A colloquial term for a dishonest person or someone who engages in petty or fraudulent activities. Often used informally and sometimes humorously.

• Don't trust him; he's a crook who swindles people out of their money.
• The old crook was known for his clever schemes to avoid paying taxes.

Used to describe a violent criminal or someone who uses physical force for intimidation. Often carries negative and aggressive connotations.

• The thug threatened the shopkeeper with a knife to hand over the money.
• She described her attacker as a thug who showed no mercy.